How far can you go on a cruise ship? Try Wellington……..

One of the less know cruise destinations is New Zealand. I received some questions from various customers who like to visit New Zealand and Australia. For all of you who like to travel far, have a look at the information  below about this very interesting cruise destination. As always, contact me if you have any questions or need assistance to sort out your New Zealand Cruise.

Wellington Overview

Wellington, New Zealand’s cosmopolitan capital city, is located at the southern tip of the North Island and at the physical center of the country. You could say that all roads lead to Wellington,  as do all ferries cruising over from the South Island, about 60 miles away across Cook Strait.

According to Maori legend, the two main islands of New Zealand are actually the great canoe of Maui (the South Island) and the giant fish he caught (the North Island). Wellington harbor is the mouth of that huge fish. So where did the city’s name come from? From Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington and British Prime Minster from 1828 to 1830.

Though a geographic hub, Wellington is surprisingly compact. It is nestled between the harbor and steep, forest-clad hills,  and wonderfully walkable. The revamped waterfront area leads from the cruise dock at the eastern edge of town to the must-see Te Papa museum in the west. A stroll along the quay is filled with surprises. There’s a grassy playground for kids, large-scale sculptures and fun wooden walkways. Cross the street, and you’ll have your choice of cafes and shops.

Foodies will love Wellington for its wide range of dining options (there are some 400 restaurants and counting). Note that coffee has recently replaced tea as the beverage of choice, and New Zealanders have their own lingo for coffee drinks — flat white (not a cappuccino, but similar), short black (espresso) and many more.

Where You’re Docked
The big ships dock at Aotea Quay, between the Interislander Ferry Terminal and the train station. The walk to the city center takes over 20 minutes. Small ships dock at Queens Wharf, right in the heart of town.

Don’t Miss
Museum of New Zealand: You could easily spend all day at Te Papa, New Zealand’s marvelous national museum. Five floors of interactive exhibits and displays are housed in an enormous contemporary building showcasing New Zealand’s treasures. The exhibits tell the story of the nation’s past (a Maori meeting house and the entertaining Golden Days junk shop), present (a virtual bungee jump) and future (special exhibits). Be sure to ask about special programs, such as Polynesian dancing or a Maori version of the game “Simon Says.” Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Thursday until 9 p.m. Free admission except for short-term exhibits and the Time Warp.

Cable Car View: For a spectacular overview of the city and harbor, ride the cable car from Lambton Quay (behind the downtown shops) up to the hilltop district of Kelburn. The cars move along a cable in the ground, not in the air. You can ride down ($1.80 NZ one way), or spend an hour or more strolling back to sea level through the Botanic Garden and the gorgeous Lady Norwood Rose Garden. Allow extra time. It’s further than it looks, especially if you take a wrong turn. Fortunately, the signage is excellent, and you can catch a cab if you need one.

Nautical Museum: The Museum of Wellington City & Sea, appropriately located right on Queens Wharf, is devoted to the city’s maritime history. Modern technology brings Maori legends to life while a short film relives the 1968 Cook Strait ferry tragedy. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission.

Shopping
Get a glimpse of history while you shop in the Old Bank Arcade on Lambton Quay. The building is Old-World beautiful, and the remains of an old-time ship can be seen through a section of glass flooring.

Getting Around
Wellington is relatively small. You can walk to all the major sights from your ship, though you may want to grab the ship’s shuttle or a taxi from Aotea Quay to the center of town and walk from there.

By Taxi: You’ll find cabs at the pier. They usually take debit and credit cards.

By Bus: Walk from the dock to the north end of Lambton Quay for frequent bus service linking one end of the harbor to the other. Go to the railway station for buses traveling beyond the city center and harbor area. Bus fare starts at $1 NZ. A $205 NZ day-tripper pass gets you on local public transport, including the cable car.

By Rental Car: For out-of-town exploration, rental cars are available from the usual outlets — Avis, Budget and Hertz.